Bayside - 08.13.08

Can you state your name and what you do in the band Bayside? Anthony: My name is Anthony, I sing and play guitar in Bayside

How would you say your sound has changed since your previous album? How would you describe it?
Anthony: I think that we tried to get back to the core of what Bayside has always been. We know what we like about our band and what other people do and we tried to base the record around those things. I wouldn't say that it's a step back, but we tried to simplify our thinking.

How long ago did you start writing songs for "Shudder?"Anthony: I am always messing with songs, so technically I've been toying with some of the songs since right after we finished the Walking Wounded, but we really started to bare down and write the record in January on tour

Are these all completely new thoughts or are they things that have been on your mind for a while?
Anthony: They've actually been on our mind for a while. We came up with the concepts for the songs before we actually wrote any notes. We knew we wanted specific types of songs and parts and vibes and then we wrote songs to match those concepts.

Will the new album be out on vinyl?Anthony: I have no idea. For me, the coolest part about vinyl is the artwork and I really love how the artwork for the album came out so I hope I get to see it large form

What is the songwriting process like with Chris Guglielmo in the band?Anthony: Chris thinks totally differently then any of us do. He comes up with amazing ideas or rhythms that we never would have came up with so he brings a cool new dimension to the band

The new album comes out in a month and a half, when will we hear new material?
Anthony: Very soon I hope. We are trying to figure out what the single will be and what would be the song that best sums up the record musically. That's the song that we want people to hear first

You guys wrote a blog about being on MTV, do you think this album will put you guys in the spotlight? And do you think your ready for that?
Anthony: I think that we have proven over the years that we are always ready for whatever comes out way. We can handle failure or we can handle success. Regardless of who decides to get behind us and this album, we are and will always be very happy with being in Bayside and making the music that we make.
When are you guys going to record a new video? And for what song?
Anthony: Still working on picking the single right now but as soon as we figure it out, we hope to shoot the video fast

How has everyone in the band changed as musicians from when you made your first record to now?
Anthony: We have gotten a lot more mature as musicians. I think it's really important for musicians and song writers to realize that getting better doesn't mean getting more complicated. It's about being able to step outside of that songs or that part and know what it really sounds like, not what you think it sounds like

How was the tour with Alkaline Trio? When I interviewed them, they had a lot of good things to say about you guys.
Anthony: It was amazing. It's no secret that we have always loved Alkaline Trio and that they have a big influence on us as a band. They really took us under their wings and treated us like brothers. They are very inspiring as a band and as people. We would tour with them all year round if we could

There are some bands/people who talk trash about being on Victory Records. What are your views on the record label and those bands that bash on Victory Records after leaving the label?
Anthony: We have been on Victory for about 5 years and we really like the relationship that we have with them. Victory has gone through so many changes over the years, whether it's been staff or roster or whatever and it has been really amazing to have grown up with the label and be a part of it's growth

What ever happened to your old bassist, Andrew? Why isn't he in the band anymore? And what is he doing nowadays?
Anthony: Andrew and Jim both decided to leave the band on the last day of our tour with Fall Out Boy and Armor for Sleep in 2005. I can't really speak for them on their specific reasons, but being in a band and basically giving your life to that 24 hours a day, is just not for everyone. The life isn't as glamorous as it seems and some people just want more stability in their lives. I'm pretty sure that they are both playing in bands

Does Anthony have any solo plans other than a few shows and a myspace page?
Anthony: Maybe one day, but for me right now, playing solo shows brings playing shows back to it's roots. I get to play whatever I want, wherever and whenever. There are no expectations from the fans and there is no pressure. I really enjoy that right now. It's like a hobby. I'm not looking to rush into making a record or touring heavily or anything because that would go right back to having to play specific songs and having that pressure. It's pretty fun to be on stage alone with no one to back me up or bail me out. It's the rush that I got on stage when I was playing my first shows in bands where I don't know how people will react and I don't know what to say next. It's exciting but it's still just a hobby

How did Anthony come about to manage The Status? Does he have any plans to do more management work in the future?
Anthony: We get tons of demos on tour and myspace messages from bands asking us to check them out. Believe it or not, I actually check them all out. I came across the Status' myspace page and I was blown away by their songs. I had them come up to New York and produced a couple of tracks for them. In the process, I got to know them better and saw how much potential they had. i decided that I loved the band so much that I wanted to be more involved then just producing a few songs and that was it so I asked if they would let me manage them and they said yes. It’s been amazing. The band got signed a few months ago and just finished their first album. It's coming out on October 7th, a week after ours. I have my hands full between Bayside, the Status, producing records and playing solo shows so I'm not looking to pick up anymore bands anytime soon

Plans for a live DVD?Anthony: Nothing on the schedual but I would love to do one one day. If we did one, I would want to go all out. Big production and all. I love live DVDs. The Green Day, Oasis, Amy Winehouse and Muse ones are insane. I would want it to be that good

Outside of NY what is your favorite town/city/venue to play in? Anthony: Our last show in Sydney was amazing. Most bands don't make it over to Australia very often and the fans know how difficult it is to get there and they are very appreciative. They are really excited about American bands coming over

What is the origin of the bayside bird logo and what has it come to mean to you guys?
Anthony: Double J from Victory found a piece of really old wallpaper that was just that bird as a pattern. We always wanted to have a logo that we could stick with, kind of like how Weezer and Alkaline Trio do, so we liked that one enough to stick with it. At this point though, the logo has become a symbol of strength to us. It's a symbol of everything that we have been through and gotten passed.

How does it feel when you see it tattooed on someone?Anthony: It is the best feeling I could possibly describe. It shows us that we are all in this together. We all go through the same things and in the way that our music helps people, those same people help us.

How has everyone in the band changed as musicians from when you made your first record to now?
Anthony: We have gotten a lot more mature as musicians. I think it's really important for musicians and song writers to realize that getting better doesn't mean getting more complicated. It's about being able to step outside of that songs or that part and know what it really sounds like, not what you think it sounds like